China's 'sponge cities' aim to re-use 70% of rainwater

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Beijing, China (2012) – In 2012, a bridge leading to the town of Laishui, in northern China's Hebei province, just north of capital Beijing, collapsed. Floods in Beijing caused "significant losses."

Hide Caption

1 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Wuhan, China (2016) – In 2016, following flooding in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province, authorities issued an orange alert for heavy rain in central and southern parts of China. T alert is the second highest of China's four-tier warning system for rainstorms.

Hide Caption

2 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Nanjing, China (2016) – During a period of heavy flooding in Nanjing, paramilitary policemen carried residents from their homes.

Hide Caption

3 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Tianjin, China (2016) – During the 2016 floods in Tianjin, an orange alert was issued -- during which time drivers navigated their vehicles through flooded roads.

Hide Caption

4 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Houston, USA (2017) – Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, homes were surrounded by floodwater in Houston, Texas.

Hide Caption

5 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Mumbai, India (2017) – Heavy rain showers brought Mumbai to a standstill. Pedestrians had to walk through flooded streets, while dozens of flights and local train services were canceled.

Hide Caption

6 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Itahari, Nepal (2017) – In 2017, floods in Nepal caused great damage to homes. A man is pictured resting in his house in Itahari, Sunsari district, some 250 kilometers from capital Kathmandu.

Hide Caption

7 of 8

Photos:Severe floods in major cities

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (2015) – In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, villagers stood near a broken embankment to avoid floodwater after the area was hit by torrential rains from Cyclone Komen.